What are the facts ■ Fifteen percent of all persons arrested in 1999 for robbery were under age 18. (Crime about robbery? in the United States 1999. Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000) ■ In 1999, one robbery occurred every minute in the United ■ During 1999, the average value of property States. (Crime in the United States loss for a single robbery was $1,131, reflect- 1999. Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of ing a 15-percent increase from the 1998 Investigation, 2000) figure. (Crime in the United States 1999. Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investi- ■ The national loss due to robberies was an gation, 2000) estimated $463 million in 1999. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, how- ever, the impact of this violent crime on its victims cannot be measured in terms of mon- Resources for Information Robbery etary loss alone. (Crime in the United States and Assistance 1999. Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000) National Center for Victims of Crime Victimization 1–800–FYI–CALL or 1–800–394–2255 ■ In 1999, 40 percent of all robberies were www.ncvc.org committed with firearms. (Crime in the United States 1999. Washington, DC: National Organization for Victim Assistance Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000) 1–800–TRY–NOVA or 1–800–879–6682 www.try-nova.org ■ In 1999, 74 percent of male victims of rob- bery and 42 percent of female victims of rob- Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center bery stated that the robber was a stranger. 1–800–627–6872 (Criminal Victimization in the United States TTY 1–877–712–9279 1999. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ovcres/welcome.html Statistics, 2000)

■ In 1999, 48 percent of all robbery offenses were committed on streets and highways, 24 percent occurred in commercial establish- ments, and 12 percent occurred at resi- dences. (Crime in the United States 1999. Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000)

■ Victims sustain some physical injury in This brochure was developed by the National Center for 32 percent of all robberies. (Criminal Victims of Crime under a project supported by Grant No. 97–VF–GX–K007 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Victimization in the United States 1994. Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position Statistics, 1997) or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. What is robbery? If You Are a Robbery put the incident into perspective and begin to cope with its consequences. Survivor Robbery is taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of A robbery can be a violent, life-threatening situ- someone by force or by threat of force or vio- ation. As a robbery victim, you may have many Where can you get help? lence. If a weapon is used, it is called armed rob- feelings, thoughts, and reactions to what has bery and is usually considered by the police and happened. Remember, as a robbery victim, you are not alone. courts to be more serious than robbery without a Your community may have victim assistance weapon. You may feel angry at the robber or the police programs, caring professionals, and support and court system for not doing enough. You groups—all of which are there to help you Robbery is not only a property crime but also a crime may feel intense sadness and grief over posses- with information, services, and referrals. against a person—a crime that might result in violence. sions that you have lost. You may fear that Social services programs and trained profes- the robber will return or that another robbery sionals also can help you find out about Robbery involves not only the loss of property might occur. You may feel guilt that perhaps crime victim rights in your state. but also the threat or use of violence. Robbery something you did led to the robbery, even occurs more frequently than either rape or homi- though you did nothing wrong. If the robbery involved an injury or threat of cide. Unlike victims of rape or other personal injury, you may be eligible for reimbursement by assaults, robbery victims seldom know their You may feel nervous in crowds or very suspicious your state’s crime victim compensation program assailants. Victims know their robbers in only when you are alone with someone you do not for certain out-of-pocket expenses that are related about 26 percent of robberies. Of all violent know. You may have nightmares or flashbacks to the robbery, such as medical or counseling crimes, robbery is the most likely to be committed about the robbery. You may find that you startle expenses and lost wages. To be eligible for these by more than one offender. more easily at little noises or abrupt movements. funds, you must report the robbery to the police You also may feel vulnerable and that you are not and cooperate with the criminal justice system. Robberies occur in many different settings. They in control of your life. Victim assistance programs in your community may happen on the street, in the home, in a park, can help you determine your eligibility and fill out on public transportation, or in a business such as a How victims react to robbery varies from person compensation applications. bank, store, hotel, gas station, or restaurant. to person. Your reaction may be immediate or Anyone can become a victim of robbery— delayed. Although you may feel as if you are the Remember, it is important to keep a record of even a child. only one experiencing these feelings and that no expenses incurred as a result of the robbery. If one else can understand what you are going the offender is arrested and convicted, you may Because victims encounter robbers through, your reactions are normal. Some reac- request restitution by completing a victim impact face-to-face or in close proximity, tions may decrease within a few days; others may statement and listing your losses. Restitution for robbery victims often feel total and continue for some time or resurface after being certain losses may be ordered by a judge as part of immediate loss of control. When a triggered by another event. the sentence imposed on the offender. However, weapon is involved, the sense of in many cases, the defendant may not have suffi- helplessness and the fear of death can It is important for you to deal with and resolve cient assets or income to pay restitution. It is pos- be strong, which can lead to both short- your crisis reactions at your own pace. Just as sible that even if an offender is convicted and term and long-term crisis reactions. everyone reacts to a crisis differently, not everyone ordered to pay restitution, a victim may receive reassembles his or her life in the same way or no, or only partial, restitution for his or her losses. Most property stolen during a robbery is never within the same timeframe. Many victims say it is recovered, and financial losses can be substantial. helpful to talk with others about the robbery No one has the right to commit a robbery against a If the stolen property has unique or sentimental experience and about their crisis reactions. As person regardless of the circumstances. value for the victim, emotional reactions can be victims talk about their robbery, over time they very intense.